As the tennis world buzzes with anticipation for the 2025 US Open, American star Jessica Pegula has sparked intrigue with candid reflections on her potential retirement timeline. The world No. 4, fresh off a strong 6-4, 6-3 victory over Australia’s Kimberly Birrell in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, shared her thoughts on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, hosted by Caroline Garcia and Borja Duran. At 31, Pegula is at a career crossroads, balancing her love for the game with personal aspirations, including starting a family. Her comments, particularly about a lighthearted exchange with compatriot Coco Gauff, have added a layer of warmth and humor to the conversation about her future in tennis.
Pegula, a nine-time WTA singles titleholder and former US Open finalist, hinted that her professional career might wind down within the next few years. “Maybe a couple more years,” she mused when asked how long she plans to continue playing. This timeline, however, didn’t sit well with her former doubles partner and friend, Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2023 US Open champion. Pegula recounted a lively discussion from last year where Gauff passionately urged her to keep playing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “I think I was talking to Coco and she was like, ‘You can play till LA,’” Pegula shared, chuckling. “She was mad at me because I was like, ‘Yeah, maybe like a couple more years.’ She’s like, ‘If you’re gonna play two more years, you might as well just play another year for the LA Olympics.’”
Gauff, at just 21, injected her trademark youthful energy into the conversation, insisting, “I’m not letting you retire before the LA Olympics, especially if I’m qualified!” She even reassured Pegula that maintaining a top-20 ranking would be well within her capabilities, given her crisp ball-striking. “She’s like, ‘You can just stay top 20, with the way you hit the ball, you’ll be fine,’” Pegula recalled. The exchange, filled with Gauff’s playful persistence, underscores the deep bond between the two Americans, who shared five WTA doubles titles, including three WTA 1000 crowns, before parting ways after the 2024 Paris Olympics to focus on their singles careers.
Pegula’s reflections also touched on deeper personal considerations. She expressed admiration for players like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Petra Kvitova, who returned to elite competition after motherhood, but made it clear that path isn’t for her. “I definitely don’t want to have kids and then come back. I think when I have a kid, I’m done,” she said firmly. “I admire the women that do that, but that is just not [for me].” At 34 by the time the LA Olympics roll around, Pegula admitted the physical and mental demands of the tour weigh heavily. “Four years, that’s a long time,” she told Gauff, laughing off the idea of competing into her mid-30s. “I was like, ‘Coco, I’m gonna be 34, what are you talking about?’”
Despite her retirement musings, Pegula remains a force on the court. Her Cincinnati performance, where she advanced to face Magda Linette in the third round, builds on a stellar 2025 season that includes titles in Bad Homburg, Charleston, and Austin. Her consistency—she’s reached the quarterfinals or better at seven majors—has solidified her as a mainstay in the WTA’s top echelon. Yet, the grueling tennis calendar has taken its toll. Pegula, who once co-ranked as world No. 1 in doubles with Gauff, has scaled back her doubles commitments, citing the demanding schedule. “The schedule just gets really, really tough,” she explained earlier this year in Stuttgart, where she partnered with Desirae Krawczyk instead of Gauff.
Gauff’s reaction to Pegula’s retirement talk reflects not only their friendship but also her belief in Pegula’s enduring talent. The pair’s chemistry, both on and off the court, has been a highlight for American tennis fans, who cherished their doubles dominance and their role in leading the U.S. to the 2023 United Cup title. While Pegula’s focus on singles—evidenced by her recent five-match winning streak in Charleston—suggests a shift in priorities, her playful banter with Gauff hints at an openness to extend her career, perhaps swayed by her friend’s enthusiasm.
As Pegula prepares for the US Open, where she’s among the top seeds alongside Gauff, her comments offer a glimpse into a champion weighing her legacy against her future dreams. Whether she heeds Gauff’s call to chase Olympic glory in 2028 or opts for an earlier exit, Pegula’s honesty and camaraderie with her fellow American star make her journey one to watch. For now, she’s focused on Cincinnati and the looming Grand Slam, but Gauff’s words may linger, tempting her to keep swinging for a few more years.
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